Zenit will be looking to claim their first win of the Champions League campaign as they face off against Anderlecht in the first of their back-to-back Group C matches.

Following their matchday two home defeat at the hands of AC Milan, the Russians will be fully aware of how pivotal three points at the expense of their Belgian challengers could prove to be.

Head coach Luciano Spalletti as a full squad at his disposal (with the exception of Danny, a long-term absentee) and will look to unleash the full wealth of attacking talent at his disposal.

Anderlecht, meanwhile, will hope to bounce back from a heavy home defeat at the hands of in-form Malaga. The Belgian champions are missing strikers Matias Suarez and Cyriac to long-term injury and it is perhaps no coincidence that they have failed to register a goal thus far.

Another striker Dieumerci Mbokani has a broken nose, while Massimo Bruno has a toe injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Zenit conceded six goals in their first two games, the joint highest total in the group stage along with Nordsjællandand and Spartak Moscow.

The Russian side are the only team who were not caught offside in their first two matches.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov is Zenit’s top scorer with 7 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions.

Goalkeeper Silvio Proto is the only player to have featured in all 540 minutes of Anderlecht's campaign.

The Belgians are eight group stage matches without a win, since Vincent Kompany earned a 1-0 victory at Real Betis on December 6 2005 to end a record run of 12 group stage defeats.

Milan Jovanovic spent a total of two years in the Russian Premier League, representing Lokomotiv Moscow between 2004 and 2006.

Players to watch

The 29-year-old Russian has been in excellent form this season, leading the scoring charts with seven goals in nine league games. He has yet to notch a goal in the Champions League this term, but in front of a partisan home crowd he will be hoping to make his mark at the expense of Anderlecht.

Widely seen as the next great Belgian player, the 18-year-old was in fine form for his club over the weekend against Waasland-Beveren. A classy midfielder, Praet will be key to his side's chances of victory in Russia thanks to his ability to provide a link between midfield and attack.

Editor's Prediction

Zenit's defence has conceeded three goals in the previous two Champions League matches and it unlikely that they will be able to record a clean sheet. However, their superior firepower and home advantage should be enough to see them through in what will be a close-fought match.